Princeton Children's Book Festival - Sept 8!

Please join me and more than 70 other children's book authors and illustrators at the 7th Annual Princeton Children's Book Festival next Saturday, September 8! This free event runs from 11am to 4pm, and includes readings, book signings, music, activities and more. Click here for a list of all the authors and illustrators who will be there, along with the presentation schedule, directions, and other information.

And if you're in the NYC area, I hope to see you the following Saturday, September 15, at the Big Mean Mike party at WORD in Greenpoint, Brooklyn! Facebook RSVP encouraged but not required: http://www.facebook.com/events/467697863249816/.

BIG MEAN MIKE!

Hooray! It's pub day for my new picture book Big Mean Mike!

I'm so excited for this story to be out in the world at last. And so grateful to illustrator Scott Magoon for his absolutely perfect amazing wonderful fabulous artwork! I would try to describe it here for you, but there is no way I could do it justice. You must see it. MUST. Because Mike is awesome. And the bunnies. OMG THE BUNNIES. That is all I will say at this time.

I'll be having a book party for Big Mean Mike next month, on September 15, at WORD in Brooklyn. I would love to see as many people there as possible! More details to come. For now, please help me celebrate the official release with good thoughts and best wishes for Mike and his friends. Purchases of multiple copies of the book from your local independent bookstore are also a great way to celebrate! ;)

BIG MEAN MIKE pre-order drive and book party!

For a limited time only, pre-order a signed, personalized copy of my new picture book, BIG MEAN MIKE!

Between now and August 7, you can pre-order my new book from WORD in Brooklyn, and I will sign it, and they will either:

• send it to you the week of the book’s release on August 14!

or

• hold it for you to pick up in person at the BIG MEAN MIKE BOOK PARTY on September 15!

Some important things:

1. You only have about a week to place your order! Only orders received by August 7 will be able to be signed and personalized in time for mailing.
2. If you want the book personalized (e.g., “For Margaret” or “Happy birthday, Uncle Len!”), just let us know in the comments field when you order.
3. If you’d like to pick up your pre-ordered copy in person at the BIG MEAN MIKE BOOK PARTY on September 15 instead of having it shipped to you the week of August 14, please mention that in the comments field, too.
4. Feel free to order some of my other books at the same time! :)

Here is a handy link for ordering:  http://www.wordbrooklyn.com/michelle-knudsen

More information on the book party to come soon, but I can tell you that it will be at WORD in Greenpoint, Brooklyn on Saturday, September 15, from 4–6pm, and also that it will be very fun and if you live in the NYC area, you should come! Children are welcome and encouraged. Some of my other books (Library Lion, Argus, The Dragon of Trelian, The Princess of Trelian) will also be available for purchase/signing at the party.

Stay tuned for more info. In the meantime, feel free to post questions below or email me through my website.

We Believe in Picture Books!

Get ready for a year-long celebration of picture books with Candlewick's wonderful collection of videos featuring authors, illustrators, publishing professionals, readers, teachers, librarians, and more! This trailer gives a taste of what's to come. 

My editor Sarah and I recorded a we-believe-in-picture-books video at BEA, which will be among those shown during the celebration at some point. :)  

Princess Spotting

Spotted on display at the East Meadow Public Library by my awesome BFF Jen:

Marc Tyler Nobleman presents awesome gallery of authors/illustrators dressed as superheroes

Ok, you must go and look at this right now:

Noblemania: Authors/illustrators dressed as superheroes

BIG MEAN MIKE p.s.

Also, THANK YOU so much to everyone who waited on line at BEA to get an early, signed copy of BIG MEAN MIKE! It meant a lot to see people getting excited about the book, and I hope you all enjoy the story.

There were many teachers and librarians among you, and I especially love the thought of signed copies of MIKE going back to your schools and libraries to be shared with others in those communities. (Of course, I am also happy to think of books going back to individual homes to be shared with children and grandchildren and given as gifts, too!)

You can see a few photos from BEA on my Facebook page.